In 2004, Jackman won a Tony Award for his Broadway portrayal of Australian songwriter and performer Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz. He hosted the Tony Awards in 2004 and 2005, garnering very positive reviews. The televisation of the these awards earned him an Emmy Award win for Outstanding Individual Performer in a Variety, Musical or Comedy program in 2005.
Valjean's Soliloquy
Hugh Jackman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet Jesus, what have I done?
Become a thief in the night
Become a dog on the run
Have I fallen so far
And is the hour so late
That nothing remains but the cry of my hate
The cries in the dark that nobody hears
If there's another way to go
I missed it twenty long years ago
My life was a war that could never be won
They gave me a number and murdered Valjean
When they chained me and left me for dead
Just for stealing a mouthful of bread
Yet why did I allow that man
To touch my soul and teach me love?
He treated me like any other
He gave me his trust
He called me brother
My life he claims for God above
Can such things be?
For I had come to hate the world
This world that always hated me
Take an eye for an eye
Turn your heart into stone
This is all I have lived for
This is all I have known
One word from him and I'd be back
Beneath the lash, upon the rack
Instead he offers me my freedom
I feel my shame inside me like a knife
He told me that I have a soul
How does he know?
What spirit comes to move my life?
Is there another way to go?
I am reaching, but I fall
And the night is closing in
As I stare into the void
To the whirlpool of my sin
I'll escape now from that world
From the world of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is nothing now
Another story must begin
The song "Valjean's Soliloquy" from the musical "Les Miserables" is a powerful and emotional piece that delves deep into the thoughts and emotions of the main character Jean Valjean. The song begins with Valjean questioning his actions and expressing a deep sense of regret and self-loathing. He wonders how he has fallen so far and become a thief on the run. He feels a strong sense of isolation and despair, as he stands alone at the turning of the years.
Valjean then reflects on his past and how he ended up in his current situation. He acknowledges that he missed an opportunity to change his life for the better twenty years ago and that his life has been a war that he can never win. He mourns the loss of his former self and the murder of Valjean, the man he used to be. He questions why he allowed a man to touch his soul and teach him love when he had come to hate the world and believed it hated him.
In the latter half of the song, Valjean is faced with a decision. He can either take revenge and turn his heart to stone or choose a different path. He is offered his freedom by the man who has shown him kindness and told him that he has a soul. Valjean is torn, as he feels shame inside him like a knife, and wonders how the man could possibly know his spirit. He reaches out for help but feels himself falling into the void of his sin. The song ends with Valjean escaping from the world of Jean Valjean, and another story must begin.
Line by Line Meaning
What have I done?
I am filled with remorse and regret for my actions.
Sweet Jesus, what have I done?
I am pleading to Jesus for forgiveness.
Become a thief in the night
I have resorted to thievery in desperation.
Become a dog on the run
I am constantly fleeing and hiding from the authorities.
Have I fallen so far
I am questioning how low I have sunk in life.
And is the hour so late
I am realizing that time is running out for me.
That nothing remains but the cry of my hate
My hatred is the only thing left within me.
The cries in the dark that nobody hears
My pain and suffering go unnoticed by the world.
Here where I stand at the turning of the years?
I am reflecting on my past and contemplating my future.
If there's another way to go
I am considering the possibility of change and redemption.
I missed it twenty long years ago
I had a chance for a different path in life, but I did not take it.
My life was a war that could never be won
I have been fighting a losing battle all my life.
They gave me a number and murdered Valjean
I was treated like a criminal and lost my identity.
When they chained me and left me for dead
The authorities treated me cruelly and harshly.
Just for stealing a mouthful of bread
My crime was minor, but my punishment was severe.
Yet why did I allow that man
I am confused by the kindness of the Bishop.
To touch my soul and teach me love?
The Bishop showed me kindness and love.
He treated me like any other
The Bishop did not judge me for my past actions.
He gave me his trust
The Bishop showed me trust and faith.
He called me brother
The Bishop treated me like a brother and equal.
My life he claims for God above
The Bishop believes that every life is valuable to God.
Can such things be?
I am questioning the existence of true kindness and love.
For I had come to hate the world
I had lost faith in humanity and the world.
This world that always hated me
I have felt ostracized and rejected by society.
Take an eye for an eye
I had believed in revenge and retaliation.
Turn your heart into stone
I had hardened my heart to the world.
This is all I have lived for
I had lived my life seeking revenge and hatred.
This is all I have known
I had not known any other way of life until the Bishop's kindness.
One word from him and I'd be back
The Bishop's words carry great weight and influence over me.
Beneath the lash, upon the rack
I had been tortured and punished severely in the past.
Instead he offers me my freedom
The Bishop offers me a chance for redemption and a new life.
I feel my shame inside me like a knife
I am deeply ashamed of my past actions.
He told me that I have a soul
The Bishop believes that even a criminal like me has a soul.
How does he know?
I am puzzled by the Bishop's statement and his faith in me.
What spirit comes to move my life?
I am questioning whether there is a higher power guiding my life.
Is there another way to go?
I am considering the possibility of a new path in life.
I am reaching, but I fall
I am trying to change, but finding it difficult.
And the night is closing in
I feel lost and alone in my journey towards redemption.
As I stare into the void
I am contemplating my existence and searching for meaning in life.
To the whirlpool of my sin
I feel trapped in the cycle of my past mistakes and sins.
I'll escape now from that world
I am determined to leave my old life behind and start anew.
From the world of Jean Valjean
I am leaving the old version of myself behind.
Jean Valjean is nothing now
The old version of myself is now gone, and I am reborn as a new person.
Another story must begin
A new chapter in my life is about to begin, full of hope and redemption.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAIN ALBERT BOUBLIL, CLAUDE MICHEL SCHONBERG, HERBERT KRETZMER, JEAN MARC NATEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@forge4452
What have I done?
Sweet Jesus, what have I done?
Become a thief in the night,
Become a dog on the run
Have I fallen so far,
And is the hour so late
That nothing remains but the cry of my hate,
The cries in the dark that nobody hears,
Here where I stand at the turning of the years?
If there's another way to go
I missed it twenty long years ago
My life was a war that could never be won
They gave me a number and they murdered Valjean
When they chained me and left me for dead
Just for stealing a mouthful of bread
Yet why did I allow this man
To touch my soul and teach me love?
He treated me like any other
He gave me his trust
He called me brother
My life he claims for God above
Can such things be?
For I had come to hate the world
This world that always hated me
Take an eye for an eye!
Turn your heart into stone!
This is all I have lived for!
This is all I have known!
One word from him and I'd be back
Beneath the lash, upon the rack
Instead he offers me my freedom
I feel my shame inside me like a knife
He told me that I have a soul,
How does he know?
What spirit comes to move my life?
Is there another way to go?
I am reaching, but I fall
And the night is closing in
And I stare into the void
To the whirlpool of my sin
I'll escape now from the world
From the world of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is nothing now
Another story must begin!
@user-tc6kk3py6x
èȘćçšă§ăăŸăăă§ăăăăćæă«æè©ăèŠăăăŁăăăă
m(_ _)m
What have I done?
Sweet Jesus, what have I done?
Become a thief in the night
Become a dog on the run
Have I fallen so far
And is the hour so late
That nothing remains but the cry of my hate
The cries in the dark that nobody hears
Here where I stand at the turning of the years?
If there's another way to go
I missed it twenty long years ago
My life was a war that could never be won They gave me a number and murdered Valjean When they chained me and left me for dead
Just for stealing a mouthful of bread
Yet why did I allow that man
To touch my soul and teach me love?
He treated me like any other
He gave me his trust
He called me brother
My life he claims for God above
Can such things be?
For I had come to hate the world
This world that always hated me
Take an eye for an eye
Turn your heart into stone
This is all I have lived for
This is all I have known
One word from him and I'd be back
Beneath the lash, upon the rack
Instead he offers me my freedom
I feel my shame inside me like a knife
He told me that I have a soul
How does he know?
What spirit comes to move my life?
Is there another way to go?
I am reaching, but I fall
And the night is closing in
As I stare into the void
To the whirlpool of my sin
I'll escape now from that world
From the world of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is nothing now
Another story must begin
@andywaston
Waapa lessons hard faught and won and lost.... Drink woman love drugs. đ
Bells Beach.
I gave up alc weed etc 2001 02.
Then it consumed me and literally destroyed my dreams.
I apologize to anyone in yhe dance theatre industry from Perth Adelaide Melbourne if my sinof Alcohol and additicton has affected you.
Sorry
Andrew.
@sandrastevens4418
Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe, are so miscast.
They just don't have the voice ranges needed for the roles.
I am spoiled because I saw colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean and Alfie Boe, and Norm Lewis.
Eponiene is from the London cast. She was Eponiene when I saw the show the second time in London she and Aaron Tveit are the only two out of this entire movie who can actually sing.
If you compare this movie and all the attention and Oscar nominations it got.
To the Phantom of the Opera movie which has much more talented singers and how little attention that got.
It just shows what money does in Hollywood.
If you want to truly see a great performance of Les Missarables I would suggest buy the 25th anniversary version it's the entire show with the London cast and Lea Solonga guest stars as Fantine, you Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean and Norm Lewis as Javert.
It's a better internet than the movie you won't be disappointed.
@franzaldwinrodriguez7221
What have I done?
Sweet Jesus, what have I done?
Become a thief in the night
Become a dog on the run
Have I fallen so far
And is the hour so late
That nothing remains but the cry of my hate
The cries in the dark that nobody hears
Here where I stand at the turning of the years?
If there's another way to go
I missed it twenty long years ago
My life was a war that could never be won
They gave me a number and murdered Valjean
When they chained me and left me for dead
Just for stealing a mouthful of bread
Yet why did I allow that man
To touch my soul and teach me love?
He treated me like any other
He gave me his trust
He called me brother
My life he claims for God above
Can such things be?
For I had come to hate the world
This world that always hated me
Take an eye for an eye
Turn your heart into stone
This is all I have lived for
This is all I have known
One word from him and I'd be back
Beneath the lash, upon the rack
Instead he offers me my freedom
I feel my shame inside me like a knife
He told me that I have a soul
How does he know?
What spirit comes to move my life?
Is there another way to go?
I am reaching, but I fall
And the night is closing in
As I stare into the void
To the whirlpool of my sin
I'll escape now from that world
From the world of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is nothing now
Another story must begin
@Isosceles-Triangle
" He told me that I have a soul...how does he know?" gets me every time. Jean Valjean will always be one of my favorite characters in any piece of fiction, and so inspiring.
@hillarysweeney3081
Same. That exact line puts me into tears every single time.
@Isosceles-Triangle
@@hillarysweeney3081 yes! such a broken man due to victimization from horrible circumstances...this whole musical/book is a true testament to the resilience of the human self
@alexwood4695
But not in this movie the singing is abhorrent not because of the cast but because of the director doing amazingly stupid choices, sideways has a great video on why the singing and music is quite terrible in this movie including the actors dehydrating themselves and singing for 10 hours straight at max effort which can severely damage your vocal chords permanently
@Theflameblast22
I came to this video almost just to hear that line because it hits so hard. I was thinking about it while I was at work and started tearing up due to how devastatingly vulnerable that line is combined with the slight falter in "he called me brother"
@InSaNoDaCloWn
@@alexwood4695 well if you read the comment they said in fiction, not musicals. You do realize this was novel long before it was on Broadway, right?
@catarinaxedits8000
"He gave me his trust... he called me brother" I love that phrase
@thecaribbeanbelle6733
That part caught me off guard when I first saw this I started crying! The world can be so cruel and especially back then when you could be chained up for 20 yrs for stealing a loaf of bread.
@Metrion77
When confronted with his descent, Jean chose to grow and change his story. Doubt was water on his dry soul.
When confronted with his descent, Javert chose to die and end his story. Doubt was the waves that dashed his stone heart.
@foggyforest2625
That was why valjean met his salvation and javert just had a cold and lonely death